Objective: This study compared the recharging frequency and duration, perceived impact and self-management of recharging, and motor symptom suppression in fifteen PD patients who underwent an IPG replacement (Activa™ RC replaced with Vercise™ Gevia IPG).

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms that lead to gradual loss of self-reliance and autonomy. When oral medication becomes inadequate deep brain stimulation (DBS) constitutes an effective advanced therapy possibility. This involves the implantation of electrodes in particular basal ganglia nuclei which are connected to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), rechargeable or non-rechargeable type. Rechargeable IPGs offer long-term therapeutic benefit but need regular recharging. The rechargeable IPG could potentially add a considerable burden on PD patients.

Method: The PD patients were unrolled after providing informed consent for the IPG replacement. No significant differences were found regarding age, number of years with PD, number of years of DBS treatment, or Montreal Cognitive Assessment score.

Results: Recharging duration, frequency, and perceived impact decreased significantly after replacing the Activa RC IPG with the Vercise Gevia (p<0.001). The mean recharging time decreased from 406.8±122.53 to 54.3±8.51 minutes, respectively, the mean recharging frequency decreased from 5.9 times every two weeks to once every two weeks, while the mean impact of recharging on daily functioning decreased from 65.9±8.54 to 6.7±5.77% (p<0.001). Meanwhile self-management level didn’t significantly improve.

Conclusion: This study has shown that recharging duration, frequency, and perceived impact improved when patients switched to Vercise Gevia IPG. DBS therapy with rechargeable IPGs requires adequate self-management and its success is partly dependent on creating and maintaining realistic expectations throughout the pre- and postoperative follow-up, which includes an understanding of the recharging process. Therefore, the IPG choice should always be made in consultation with the patient, balancing the importance of therapy continuity against the potential chronic burden imposed by recharging sessions. Informed decisions may reduce the perceived impact of DBS therapy management.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impact-of-two-different-rechargeable-pulse-generators-on-parkinsonian-patients-with-deep-brain-stimulation/